Cecil Hotel - Blog Posts

Death of Elisa Lam, 2013. In 2013, 21-year-old Canadian university student Elisa Lam was staying at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, California. On January 31, she was reported missing by her family after they received no word from her on the day she was meant to check out. Hotel staff who had seen her that day reported that she was alone. The LAPD and her family searched the hotel and put up flyers around the neighborhood. On February 15, police released surveillance footage from one the hotels elevators. The two and a half minute video is the last known sighting of Lam. The footage shows her behaving strangely, making erratic hand gestures, talking to someone who isn’t there, pressing all the buttons on the elevator, and leaving the elevator while doors are open before coming back and seemingly hiding in the corner. She leaves for a second time and doesn’t return. The doors close soon after. Many who viewed the video found it unsettling. Theories explaining her behavior include being under the influence of ecstasy, attempting to evade someone pursuing her, or psychotic episode after it was made known she suffered from Bipolar Disorder. Some claimed the video was tampered with. During the search, hotel guests began complaining about low water pressure, and some complained about the taste and color of the water, saying it was black and tasted strange. On February 19, hotel maintenance worker Santiago Lopez discovered the body of Elisa Lam floating in one of the four of the buildings 1,000 gallon water tanks. She was found naked with her clothes and personal belongings floating near her. The tank was drained and taken apart to get her body out. The Coroners report found no evidence of physical trauma, sexual assault, or suicide. Toxicology tests found traces of the prescription medication she had among her personal effects, though there was evidence she was either under medicating or had stopped medicating all together recently. There was also a very small quantity of alcohol in her system. The authorities ruled the death an accidental drowning with Bipolar Disorder as a major factor. Many questioned how she got onto the roof and into the tank in the first place. All roof access doors were locked and only staff members had the keys. Any attempts to force the doors open would trigger an alarm. Though the fire escape would allow someone to bypass these security measures, her scent trail was lost near a window connected to the fire escape. How she got into the tank was another mystery. The tank was a 4 by 8 feet cylinder and supported by cinder blocks with no fixed access. Staff use ladders to get inside. The lids are heavy and difficult to move, although Lopez said the lid was open. Police dogs who searched the roof found no trace of her. Some argue that the autopsy information is incomplete. For example, the report does not state if the rape kit was processed. It also records blood pooling in the anal area, which some claim is a sign of sexual abuse. Since her death, Lams tumblr blog has been updated, presumably through the sites queue option. Her phone was never found so it is unknown if it’s the option, hacking, or facilitating by the stolen phone causing these updates. Numerous theories have been put out, including paranormal involvement as the Cecil Hotel is famous for its history of murders and deaths that have taken place in the building.

Dear, Elisa Lam...

Before I go to bed tonight, I have to tell you something. I am not convinced that you did this to yourself at all, I truly believe that the hotel is hiding something from us. That manager from the new Eisa Lam documentary on Netflix has got me so damn angry!!! all she cares about is her stupid little hotel not looking like a fucking drug house. Well smell the roses hun it’s already home to the night stalker and a bunch of other prison rats. She didn’t even shed a damn tear for Elisa and don’t even get me started on how I think they made this Elisa lam documentary to cover up the real truth behind this case uggghhh fuck this makes me so damn angry!!!!

Dear, Elisa Lam...

I have watched and read your story over and over again and I am yet to believe that you did this to yourself, there is no way they can make it sound like you have done this to yourself. There were so many people in that hotel that could have done this to you. and the fact that none helped you in the hotel while you were in your bipolar ep. Makes me so angry, what did they say again when they said you were screaming in the lobby, oh yes that’s right! they said, “It’s just another day at the Cecil hotel”...

May you rest in peace now Elisa Lam....🖤⛓️